Oyster River

Oyster River High School Musician Earns National Recognition

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Oyster River Cooperative School District
SAU No. 5
Superintendent James Morse
36 Coe Drive
Durham, NH 03824

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 18, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Oyster River High School Musician Earns National Recognition

DURHAM — Superintendent James Morse is pleased to share that William Kandle, a junior at Oyster River High School, was one of two New Hampshire students chosen to participate in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2019 All-National Honor Ensembles earlier this month.

The All-National Honor Ensembles took place from Nov. 7-10 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Students from throughout the United States, and overseas in military base schools, were selected to participate in the All-National Honor Ensemble through a competitive audition process.

“This is an incredible accomplishment, and William has worked tirelessly to become the talented young musician he is today,” said Oyster River High School Music Director Marc LaForce. “It’s wonderful to see his dedication to music is being recognized, and has introduced him to opportunities where he has been able to perform alongside peers equally as invested in music.”

Kandle took part in the Honors Guitar Ensemble, a group of 41 young guitarists who performed under the direction of Bill Swick, a renowned conductor. Well-known conductors at the event led each ensemble, including Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Soo Han, Emily Threinen, Todd Stoll with Camille Thurman and Scott Burstein.

In addition to the Honors Guitar Ensemble, more than 500 students participated in ensembles including a concert band, symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, mixed choir and modern band.

For the past two years, Kandle, of Durham, has also earned first chair in the New Hampshire Music Educators’ Association (NHMEA) All State Guitar Ensemble. Throughout his high school career, he has also been a member of the Oyster River High School Studio Orchestra, where he has learned from Music Educators Marc LaForce, David Ervin and Andrea von Oeyen.

National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme). For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at [email protected] or 571-323-3395.

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Oyster River Students Lead Charge to Study Single-Use Plastic Waste

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Oyster River Cooperative School District
SAU No. 5
Superintendent James Morse
36 Coe Drive
Durham, NH 03824

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Oyster River Students Lead Charge to Study Single-Use Plastic Waste

From Left: Marlon Grandy, Abbey Palmer and Brunda Katikireddy are co-leaders of the Oyster River High School Sustainability Club, and will spend the school year studying single-use plastic consumption in the school district. (Courtesy Photo Oyster River School District)

DURHAM — A group of students are leading an initiative this school year to study the impact of single-use plastics at Oyster River Cooperative School District.

Approximately 20 student participants of the Oyster River High School Sustainability Club, guided by science teacher and club adviser Jon Bromley and Sustainability Coordinator Maggie Morrison, plan to spend the coming months collecting and weighing single-use plastics at Oyster River High School, and will also gather data about the sources and impacts of that plastic waste.

In an effort to influence district policies surrounding plastic use, the students will present their findings to the School Board next school year. The students also plan to develop an action plan to reduce plastic waste next fall.

“We want to make a presentation to the School Board that shows them this is an issue worth working through,” said Abbey Palmer, a senior and co-leader of the club.

“By educating people into realizing that changing your behavior may not be as extreme as they think it is, it would help elevate how much we can help the environment,” said Brunda Katikireddy, a senior student and co-leader of the club.

Although the plan is in its early stages, the club also plans to work with students at Oyster River Middle School, who are interested in conducting a similar plastic audit. Efforts also are additionally planned at Moharimet and Mast Way elementary schools to better understand the impacts of single-use plastic at each facility. 

“The whole school district is committed to solving the single-use plastic problem,” Palmer said.

In addition to this year’s efforts to study single-use plastic consumption, Oyster River Cooperative School District has a variety of sustainable initiatives already in place, including a longstanding composting contract and recent investments in energy efficiency including LED lighting at Oyster River High School, Moharimet and Mast Way Elementary schools; new windows at both elementary schools; solar panels on the district’s maintenance building; HVAC system automation controls, energy efficient copiers and computers. The proposed middle school building project also seeks to include designs to reduce energy and operating costs.

“We’re deeply committed as a district to sustainability, and to see our students take this initiative upon themselves demonstrates the dedication they feel to preserve our environment and address potentially harmful habits our society has developed, such as single-plastic use,” Superintendent Morse said. “It’s a wonderful learning opportunity for all grade levels, and we look forward to learning more as the school year goes on.”

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Children’s Book Author to Visit Oyster River’s Moharimet Elementary

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Oyster River Cooperative School District
SAU No. 5
Superintendent James Morse
36 Coe Drive
Durham, NH 03824

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Children’s Book Author to Visit Oyster River’s Moharimet Elementary

MADBURY– Principal David Goldsmith is pleased to announce that Oyster River Cooperative School District Alumnus Lincoln Peirce, an author of children’s books and graphic novels, will visit Moharimet Elementary School this November.

Media are invited to attend.

WHO:

  • Author Lincoln Peirce
  • Principal David Goldsmith
  • Moharimet Third and Fourth Grade Students

WHEN:

Thursday, Nov. 7 from 10-11 a.m.

WHERE:

Moharimet Elementary School, 11 Lee Road, Madbury

WHAT:

Lincoln Peirce (pronounced “purse”) will visit third and fourth grade students this November to talk about his books and writing career.

“Excitement has been brewing for weeks as our students prepare for cartoonist and author Lincoln Peirce’s visit,” said Library Media Specialist Margaret Kelley. “Mr. Peirce’s “Big Nate” series continues to fly off of our library bookshelves, and his newest book, a first in a series, “Max & the Midknights,” is equally engaging. His presence as a published writer and cartoonist, and an alumnus of our school district, will enhance students’ love of reading and expand their vision of what is possible for them; and for that we’re forever grateful.”

Peirce will begin his visit to the school with a presentation on cartooning and storytelling, as well as how his early interest in those disciplines led to his books “Big Nate” and “Max & the Midknights.” He will also discuss his career, and share a few drawings he made as an elementary school student.

Following the presentation, Peirce will give a drawing demonstration. He will also conduct a question and answer period with students, and will be available to sign books for students at the end of his visit.

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Oyster River Names Interim Mast Way Elementary School Principal

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Oyster River Cooperative School District
SAU No. 5
Superintendent James Morse
36 Coe Drive
Durham, NH 03824

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Oyster River Names Interim Mast Way Elementary School Principal

Oyster River High School Assistant Director of Special Education Misty Lowe has been selected as Mast Way Elementary School’s interim principal for the 2019-2020 school year. Lowe has four children, from left: Haley Manchester, Noah Lowe, Caleb Manchester, Misty Lowe and Taylor Neal. (Courtesy Photo Misty Lowe)

LEE — Superintendent Jim Morse is pleased to share that Misty Lowe, assistant director of special education at Oyster River High School, has been selected to fill the role of interim principal at Mast Way Elementary next year.

Lowe has worked at Oyster River Cooperative School District for approximately six years, and will serve as Mast Way Elementary School’s interim principal for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year. Her first day in her new role will be July 1.

The district began the search for an interim principal after current Mast Way Elementary School Principal Carrie Vaich announced this May that she would be leaving her post at the end of the school year. 

An Arkansas native, Lowe moved to New Hampshire in 1999. Lowe has held a variety of roles throughout her career in education, and has worked as a paraeducator, elementary school teacher, middle and high school level special education teacher, building level coordinator, special education director and assistant principal.

“I feel driven to do this work and passionate about serving our children in the community,” Lowe said. “My goal while at Mast Way is to first learn about the school community and become a part of it. I also want to honor the hard work that the staff, students and families of this school have done over the years to become a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School.”

In 2018, Mast Way was also honored as the only National Blue Ribbon School in the state for its academic performance.

In addition to her career in education at Oyster River Cooperative School District, Lowe also serves on her local school board in Strafford.

“Misty has demonstrated a passion for education and student growth that makes her a wonderful fit for this role,” Superintendent Morse said. “She has a knack for supporting students in reaching their goals and helping staff execute their best work. We’re looking forward to having her join the Mast Way community.”

The district will begin a search for Principal Vaich’s permanent replacement for the 2020-2021 school year in November. The search will be a thorough process that will include a wide range of stakeholders.

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